There was an era when cars were seen as a symbol of superiority, nobility, and top rank. Then the time came when the prices of cars fell and they became more affordable. The most popular cars of that time are – the Hindustan Ambassador, Tata Sierra, Hindustan Contessa, Maruti 800, Maruti Omni, Maruti Gypsy, and Zen. 4 of these popular cars are from Maruti, this shows that from how long Maruti Suzuki has dominated the Indian car market. We will discuss this topic later because today, we are very excited to tell you that 3 of these 7 legendary cars are coming back. Read the full article below to know more.
At one time the Hindustan Ambassador was the most famous car on Indian roads. Its sights were easy to find in any city of the country. It was used as a family sedan, as a VIP ride, and even as a taxi at its high time. The Ambassador was based on the Hindustan Landmaster and was made from 1956 to 2014. The dropping rate of its sale was the reason it got discontinued. But, according to online renders, there are some rumors that it might soon come back as an electric car. Many big automobile new publishers are talking about the comeback of Hindustan Ambassador as an EV. It is also being said that the Hind Motor Financial Corporation of India (HMFCI) and Peugeot have started working on the design and the engine of the Ambassador. All this hints that the old king of India roads Ambassador is soon going to have a rebirth.
The Contessa was a popular muscle car of Hindustan Motors. It was in production from 1984-2002 and was majorly involved in the gangster scenes of the movies. Due to the entry of new more fuel-efficient models of other brands, Contessa sales dropped heavily and it got discontinued. The price of Contessa was in between Rs. 4.84 lakh to Rs. 5.42 lakh. The Contessa’s rebirth in India has not yet been the subject of any solid news. The Hind Motor Financial Corporation of India & Peugeot have registered a trademark for the name Contessa, but that’s it. No other official statement about the Contessa has been made yet. We believe that the re-birth of Contessa is currently years away.
Tata Sierra was India’s first real SUV. It was based on the Tata Telcoline and shared its engine and front design. Tata Sierra is coming back for sure as Tata has already revealed the Sierra EV concept at the Auto Expo 2023. New Tata Sierra will first be launched as an EV and then an ICE powertrain version will make its debut. The old Sierra was Tata’s first attempt in the personal transportation sector. It had three doors, Alpine windows in the back, and great off-road capabilities. The almost production version of the new Sierra has already started grabbing the attention of a large number of people. Its launch is scheduled for 2024.
The Maruti Gypsy was the most popular SUV of its time. It was mainly used by the army forces for patrolling and off-road enthusiasts because of its 4X4 capabilities. Currently, the Maruti Gypsy is only available for military use but recently Maruti has launched an alternative to the Gypsy which is the Maruti Suzuki Jimny. The 5-door Maruti Jimny made its way to India at Auto Expo 2023. The Maruti Gypsy will not come back for civilians but the Jimny will fill its empty place. If we believe the rumors, the Jimny will also be used by the army. The bookings of the Jimny are going at an amazing rate in India, around 1000 Jimny are being booked every day.
The Maruti 800 was produced from 1983 to 2014. It was truly an amazing family car. For many Indians, the Maruti 800 was their first car. It was used in many 90s movies and later it became a symbol of upward mobility and a step towards a better life for many people. It had the Suzuki’s trusty 800cc F8B engine and because of its small body and spacious interior, it was a perfect car to navigate through busy city streets and small roads of the villages. The Maruti 800 was the real competitor of the Hindustan Ambassador and Premier Padmini. The Maruti 800 will not come back as it has been replaced by the Maruti Alto but it still holds a special place in the heart of many people.
With its G10B engine, the Suzuki Zen was a hot hatch that didn’t hold back. Racing enthusiasts loved upgrading it to produce even more than 100 PS of power. The Suzuki Zen handling was its key point. It was just like a go-kart, was really responsive, and was a thrill to drive. Unfortunately, the Estilo took its place, but the original Zen will always be known for its style of driving.
Maruti Suzuki Omni shared the same engine as the 800. It was originally known as the Maruti Suzuki Van before getting a new name. It was a very popular van at one time and you might have seen it in old movies, as a cab, and as an ambulance. Some people still use it to transport goods. Maruti Suzuki Omni is now replaced by the Eeco. But it would be nice to see an electric version of this Ven. Renders were produced by some Omni fans, but that’s about it. We don’t think the Maruti Omni will ever make a comeback.
